NSU vs. UMHB

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA with University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than UMHB based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 3,321 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); University of Mary Hardin Baylor is in Belton, TX (Small Suburban setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Hardin Baylor is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; University of Mary Hardin Baylor 17:1.

NSU vs. UMHB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or UMHB? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than UMHB ($13,134 vs. $27,651).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 17.4% lower than at University of Mary Hardin Baylor ($10,926 vs. $13,224).
• University of Mary Hardin Baylor is 261.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $23,156 more per year; $32,020.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.9% higher at UMHB than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $12,368 more per year; $32,020.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Hardin Baylor than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mary Hardin Baylor students is 59.7% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($19,320 vs. $12,098).

NSU vs. UMHB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or UMHB? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UMHB and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary Hardin Baylor (1080) is 70 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming UMHB students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; University of Mary Hardin Baylor 960/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; University of Mary Hardin Baylor 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; UMHB - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UMHB students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at NSU (3.3).
• UMHB has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than NSU (92.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 5.5% at UMHB.

NSU vs. UMHB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and UMHB? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Mary Hardin Baylor's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from University of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $5,219 lower median loan debt than UMHB graduates ($21,531 vs. $26,750).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMHB graduates ($222 vs. $276).
• More UMHB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.